Chicken Breed Focus - Ancona

Thanks :) it was raining, which is why I said I'd try later (that and the fact I was still in bed :p ) but now it's not so I can get them. :) I'm tempted to just climb on the roof though lol

But yeah, it's actually sort of a side yard thing, it's not even really part of the yard, we store things over there, you'll see in the pictures.

I might try to get a video too.

No dogs, in fact our dog is the problem dog of the neighborhood. :p

He's a very sweet boy but he used to run off all the time as our yard isn't fenced and 99% he would stay in the yard so he went out loose. Now he is.on a rope. We tried the rope about a year then last year my dad was all like "oh he's so good now, he doesn't need it anymore" despite me saying yes he is most of the time but then we say it and he runs.off and. Well. Guess what happened. :p so now he is permanently on the rope. He's actually an inside dog but when he goes out he is on a rope. Sometimes you have to drag him off the couch. :p

He's sweet but I need to work more on impulse control and exercise. He was getting better about ignoring the cat but now for a couple months he's bad again because he hasn't been getting any exercise or mental stimulation at all but he's a good boy, just needs some stimulation haha

But yeah.

He's actually a calm dog and sleeps.most of the time but he does need exercise so yeah, I've been bad xD

But he's a good boy.

Most of the dogs in the neighborhood are little dogs anyways except for a couple so even if they were loose it's doubtful they'd hurt them

So yeah. Just need to train myown dog basically. And keep hawks away.

He's half black lab half great pyrenees
 
Just throw the word "Ancona" in the off topic post
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But yes, there are threads for predators and well, just about anything related to chickens, including Anconas of course.

And it sounds like your dog IS the biggest predator threat to the chickens you have and any Anconas you might get in the future, they are no more a match for a dog than any other breed. Even though they can fly some, they aren't going to escape a running dog unless it is a really short legged thing that trips over its own feet at speed AND the chicken has somewhere to hide. They can't run all that fast and even when my Anconas do decide to flap their wings, they don't go very far before coming back down. Like all other chickens they don't depend on flying to get to their food and aren't really built for high flying or distance.
 
Brilliant idea! Haha I may find one of the threads though hah

But yeah, I think he is too. That and the hawks. I don't think he'd actually kill the chickens and the rope limits him but I don't know. I think I'll have to train him and exercise him a lot. He's lazy so I think he'll get bored fast. Though chickens are big fluffy squawking things so it's probably fun
 
Brilliant idea! Haha I may find one of the threads though hah

But yeah, I think he is too. That and the hawks. I don't think he'd actually kill the chickens and the rope limits him but I don't know. I think I'll have to train him and exercise him a lot. He's lazy so I think he'll get bored fast. Though chickens are big fluffy squawking things so it's probably fun

Famous last words! You can but try and hope the chickens are smart enough to stay away if he is too interested when they freak for whatever reason (because chickens do that)..

I've seen that yard before, don't remember which thread though.
 
Famous last words! You can but try and hope the chickens are smart enough to stay away if he is too interested when they freak for whatever reason (because chickens do that)..

I've seen that yard before, don't remember which thread though. 


Very true!! I'll have to take extra precautions haha

And oh.yeah, I think I've posted it before, maybe even a few times, over the months/years. It was probably one of my own threads. Not sure I've ever made one specific about the garage part though but I probably have. But yeah, sorry, I forgot haha
 
I thought if this is the Official Ancona Chicken Thread, I'd revive it! I'm loving my first Ancona. Her name is Annie and I got her from Meyer Hatchery with 6 other breeds. All raised by a hen, I call them the Variety Pack. Question for Ancona owners: These are said to begin laying as early as 5 months and Annie is over 28 weeks now with no signs of laying or interest in the rooster. 4 of the 7 are for sure laying: Egyptian Fayoumi, Buff Orp, Black Aust. and the Cuckoo Marans just laid her first 2 eggs. I know the answer is patience, just curious if all the hype about maturing early is really the norm. Picture of Annie at 27 weeks:

fullsizeoutput_eb1.jpeg
 
The Ancona chicken originated in the Marche region of Italy, and was named after the city of Ancona from which the first birds were imported into the UK in 1851. Breeders worked to set its type and markings and it went on to gain a great deal of popularity as a show bird, as well as an exceptional egg layer. It was imported into the US in 1888. The breeds that went into the creation of Anconas are unknown, but they have many similarities to the Leghorn and have been referred to as Mottled Leghorns at times.

Anconas have a distinct feather color pattern with a black background color that is marked with a white V-shaped spangle on some of the feather tips. Ideally, one out of every five feathers is tipped with white. There has been a blue mottled version developed also. Anconas were originally single combed, but a rose combed version has been developed, both are recognized by the APA.

Anconas are wild, active and flighty birds, that are good flyers. They have excellent predator awareness, are good foragers that will range over a wide area, making them a good choice for a free range flock. They are fairly cold hardy and good winter layers, though the large single combs will suffer from frostbite. The hens are exceptional layers of large white eggs and are non-broody.

It was recognized by the APA in 1898 and is on The Livestock Conservancy's Watch list.


Details:
Breed purpose: Egg Layer, Ornamental
Comb Type: Single or Rose
Broodiness: Non-setter
Climate Tolerance: Average
Weight: Roosters 6 lbs, Hens 4.5 lbs
Egg Productivity: Excellent
Egg Size: Large
Egg Color: White




Ancona Hen @Prestonsloan12


Ancona Hen @SanderB


Ancona Hen Head @Prestonsloan12


Ancona Chicks @SanderB


Ancona Rooster @Rhinoman


Ancona Rooster @ SanderB


Ancona Flock @Yellow House Farm


Ancona Flock Rosecombed @Yellow House Farm


Ancona Cockerels Rosecombed @Yellow House Farm


BYC Breed reviews:


https://www.backyardchickens.com/products/ancona

General breed discussions & FAQ thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/328758/ancona-chicken-thread/0_20

Exhibition, Genetics & Breeding to the Standard of Perfection thread:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/882038/the-ancona-breeders-thread/0_20

Do you own Anconas? Are you an Ancona breeder? If so, please reply to this thread with the your thoughts and experiences, including:

· What made you decide to get this breed?
· Do you own them for fun? Breeding? Some other purpose?
· What are your favorite characteristics about this breed?
· Post some pics of your birds; male/female, chicks, eggs, etc!
Hi, I know this is old, but here is my baby Taima!
Is there anyway of sexing them by baby fluff?
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IMG_9498.jpg

She reminds me of an African pygmy falcon!
 

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